New Maruti Vitara Brezza (facelift) to feature side airbags and sunroof - Report

The Maruti Vitara Brezza was launched in March 2016 and is over three years old now. A facelift is in the works, and rumour has it that it will gain side airbags and sunroof with this mid-life update.

Maruti Suzuki has sold over 4.35 lakh units of the Vitara Brezza since launch in 2016. IAB's rendering of the facelifted model pictured.

The Maruti Vitara Brezza is already one of the safest sub-compact SUVs in its segment with a 4-Star Global NCAP rating, and the addition of side air-bags will make it even safer. As for the sunroof, its competitors Hyundai Venue, Ford EcoSport and Mahindra XUV 300 already offer this feature.

The facelifted Maruti Vitara Brezza will likely feature new bumpers, new front grille, LED projector headlamps (replacing the halogen projector headlamps), hood scoop, new alloy wheels and tweaked tail lamps as well. The new SmartPlay Studio infotainment system borrowed from the all-new Maruti WagonR and the facelifted Maruti Baleno is also expected in the new model.

The mechanical changes planned with the mid-cycle refresh are unknown. The existing D13A 1.3-litre diesel engine has been confirmed to be discontinued by March 2020. The recently introduced E15A 1.5-litre diesel engine too will be discontinued by the same time. However, it may be introduced in the Maruti Vitara Brezza with the mid-cycle refresh and be offered for a few months to recover whatever amount of investment made in it that is possible. What we know for sure, is that the K15B 1.5-litre petrol engine, which is going to be upgraded to BS-VI, will be offered in the facelifted model.

The E15A 1.5-litre diesel engine produces 70 kW (95.17 PS) of maximum power at 4,000 rpm and 225 Nm of peak torque at 1,500-2,500 rpm and comes mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The K15B 1.5-litre petrol engine develops 77 kW (104.69 PS) and 138 Nm of torque. This engine is available with a dual-battery mild-hybrid system for higher fuel efficiency. It can be paired with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission.

The K15B 1.5-litre petrol engine, which is going to be upgraded to BS-VI, will be offered in the facelifted Maruti Vitara Brezza.